Toyota Recalls 600K Siennas, Copies Lexus Tests

Updated at 11:40 p.m. ET

Toyota Motor Corp. said Friday it was recalling 600,000 Sienna minivans sold in the United States to address potential rusting spare tire cables that could break and create a road hazard in the latest safety problem to strike the beleaguered automaker.

The recall came as House investigators said they planned to hold another congressional hearing in May to review potential electronic problems in runaway Toyotas. The Japanese automaker has recalled more than 8 million vehicles because of faulty accelerator pedals, humbling a car company long known for its quality and safety.

Company leaders vowed to respond quickly to the safety concerns.

Separately, Toyota said Friday its engineers in Japan had duplicated the same results of tests that led Consumer Reports to issue a rare "don't buy" warning on the 2010 Lexus GX 460 over rollover concerns. Toyota responded by halting sales of new GX 460s and conducting tests on all of its SUVs.

Lexus spokesman Bill Kwong said the company was evaluating potential remedies for the GX 460 but it was "too early to speculate (on) the details of the remedy and its timing."

Toyota said its latest recall covered the 1998-2010 model year Siennas with two-wheel-drive that have been sold or registered in 20 cold-climate states and the District of Columbia. Toyota said rust from road salt could cause the carrier cable that holds the spare tire to rust and break, allowing the tire to tumble into the road. The problem could threaten the safety of other drivers.

Toyota said it was unaware of any accidents or injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it had received six complaints of spare tires falling off Siennas.

The company said it was working on a fix for the problem. In the meantime, customers will receive a notice telling them to bring their vehicle to a dealership for an inspection.

The recall involves Siennas in the District of Columbia and the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

"Toyota is listening to its customers attentively, and we want to make sure their voices are heard," said Steve St. Angelo, Toyota's chief quality officer for North America.

St. Angelo said the company was providing free inspections of the spare tire carrier cable across the nation, including states not included in the recall. Owners can call [phone] for more information about the recall.

More Toyota Coverage

Toyota Testing all SUVs after Lexus GX Report
Toyota to Temporarily Halt Sales of Lexus GX460
Consumer Reports Calls Lexus GX460 Unsafe
AP: Toyota Master of Legal Evasion, Deception
Another Civil Penalty Coming for Toyota?
Toyota Executive: "We Need to Come Clean"
Toyota Warned Europe of Pedals Weeks Before U.S.

Lawmakers remain focused on the spate of recalls affecting the company. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., a subcommittee chairman, said they plan to hold a May 6 hearing to look into potential electronic causes of sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles.

Toyota has said it has found no evidence of electronic problems, attributing the issues to sticking gas pedals and accelerators that can become jammed in floor mats.

Toyota said in a statement Friday it was "more than willing to meet with the committee and discuss the ongoing testing related to our electronic throttle control system, as well as the steps we are taking to improve our quality assurance processes. Nothing is more important to us than the safety and reliability of the vehicles our customers drive."

The Transportation Department has fined the company $16.4 million for failing to promptly notify the government about defective gas pedals among its vehicles. Toyota has until Monday to agree to the penalty or contest it. The fine is the largest civil penalty ever issued to an automaker by the government.

Transportation officials have not ruled out additional fines. The department is reviewing whether Toyota delayed for six weeks the late January recall of the 2009-2010 Venza in the United States to address floor mats that could entrap the accelerator pedal after making a similar recall in Canada.

Toyota recalled the Venza in Canada in December and reported to the U.S. government on Dec. 16 that the floor mats could move forward while the vehicle is in use and "may interfere with the accelerator pedal." Toyota told U.S. authorities at the time that the floor mats in question were not imported into the U.S. but the Venza was added to the floor mat recall in late January.

Automakers are required to notify the U.S. government within five business days when they find a potential safety defect.

Waxman and Stupak, meanwhile, have asked Toyota and outside consulting firm Exponent Inc. to provide documents detailing a review of possible electronic problems in its vehicles. Exponent, which was hired by Toyota, said in an interim report it could find no evidence that electronic malfunctions had caused sudden unintended acceleration.

Committee investigators said in February that the Exponent testing was flawed because it studied only a small number of Toyota vehicles and consumer groups have said electronics could be the cause of the acceleration problems. Reviews of some high-profile crashes in San Diego and suburban New York have failed to find either mechanical or electronic problems.

[KalbiTahng]

I also wonder if the hateful Americans are also thinking if the AMERICANS working in the American-based Toyota automobile factories are causing the problems to the Toyota cars being manufactured here in the US? The Toyotas manufactured in Japan have no problems. It must be the lazy americans who are not up-to-par with their skills who are making it bad for Toyota.

[GoGoRentaCar]

I see it appears that every model in Toyota's stock will be said to have something wrong with it so everyone can get in on the action. To date I have not heard of the real problem. I do know that Toyota has lost several of it's top engineers over the years since 911 because they were sent to help with the war like many other companies in Asia. Even now we, Japan, are in Afganistan. I have lost one son already. The US is a sue happy country, LaHood knew that and has incited the public to join in. LaHood is himself in question how he could sit in charge and leave something undone for 4 months, and even his lip service that he was going to call Presdient Akio Toyoda is strange, how could he take a week or longer, and wait till President Akio Toyoda called him. Oh, what about here in California, why is Cedar Park, Great America allowed to not pay Federal Income Tax, and California State Franchise Tax, and California Unemployment Insurance from the withholdings of its employees? Is there a fine here? Who do I report this too. There are other violations not included in the Madison vs. Cedar Park. I have real factual evidence. There is no smoking gun against Toyota Motor Corporation on these safety violations. The only one I really see is the call was late. But, even LaHood didn't seem to see that it was that important. I say boycott Cedar Park completely, and California's Great American, and Knotts Berry Farm, visit http://www.cedarfair.com/ir/company/properties/ for a list of all their properties. I have factual evidence, I asked for more witholdings to be taken out each paycheck, I am not an exempt employee, and they have to be fined. Toyota is not guilty!

[iirishamerican]

What the duece are you talking about?

[KalbiTahng]

I think the US media is making a big deal out of the Toyota recall just to tarnish Toyota's image. Toyota has been the most honest and upfront in notifying Toyota owners like me of any recall. They always mail me a notice about any parts that need to be repaired of replaced due to a recall. Compare that to when I've owned a ford car where the Ford company never cared about their owners after getting $$$ from the auto dealer.
Lastly, the US gov bailed out the Big threes with a condition of owning shared of Ford and GM. chrysler didn't make it through, I believe. Since the US gov wants some cash back from lending it to the big three's they are working with the US media to badmouth everything about Toyota, Honda and other foreign Asian cars (notice no tarnishing of Volkswagen and European automobiles in the news) to increase sales of US-made cars. This is such a BS agenda.

[nopatriot]

Do you know civil penalty to Toyota that means USA Toyota pays millions to USA government but not Japanese TOYOTA pays for this to USA government .
You guys all be smart to understand this meaning, media and governments love to criticize Toyota as Japanese brand but the fact is here. USA TOYOTA is USA auto maker of Cars made in USA.
You must accept VolksWagen made in Mexico and Latin America , those are not really good like same one made in Germany.
It is same to Made in Japan and Made in USA , even if the brand name is same, here is big differences.
I understand USA does not want to accept made in USA's quality is bad, however some thing really showing the proof.
Anyway, it is not happening in Japan.

Because Japan and Japanese minister is stupid and Moron ?

I don't really think so.

They are happy themselves, but USA and North and South Korea are sometimes too much to
threaten japan.

You know, advanced countries are not necessarily to threaten or force anything to japan,

But USA, North and South (Both Korea) are something else.

japan's North small islands have been taken and occupied by Russia since WWII ended,

however both countries have good communication with other levels.

Russian boss love Jyudo., he has a black belt and he has own DVD.( this is good)

I think USA writers like Washingtongpost.com they must learn what is the world and what is the reality of the world.

even Many Americans live in USA , I know one of them always talks to us in japan,

" I am talking to my brother , he is lawyer in USA, and I am asking him to come and live in japan.

really good place to live."

Another one has been in japan worked for IBM, he also does not want to go back to USA any more.
The big reason his friend was shot to death in USA, at Los Angels air post.
Other American also said his grandfather was shot to death in USA.

Nowadays we have connected with internet and we also travel around the world

and what is really useless and worn-out writings and talking about Japan by like washingtongpost
and some other inhuman writings to force wars or force army bases to other countries,
they are nonsense.

First of all, they write and attack Japanese PM or lawmaker care about 9/11.

However, the attacking by those american writers are attacking japanese civilians and residents in japan
who has been had trouble from USA army base.

Also attacking those PM equally attacking USA citizens who have been victimized by
wars too.

The fact, even USA army members get marry with japanese too.

Or former USA army members get marry with japanese.

Do you know why?

I believe some of them fed up insane war like showing here " Bush master " gogo shot

Router photographers to death in Iraq.

yes, they fed up and many people feel something really really wrong with some USA authorities include
writing of Washingtongpost.

While end of the Iraq war, CBS has almost closed the web site , bravely dealt Iraq prison torture with pictures.
Many believe USA authorities pushed the CBS to close the site.

Because USA authorities always want to do war somewhere.
Anywhere, maybe in your country next time.

I know at nuclear summit? Or Novel Prize to Obama?

People worldwidely just been patience such big ass USA.
I am not attacking you personally but look, it is worthless.
There are so many people have been worked for no nuclear weapon on globe,
almost of sudden, Obama got novel peace prize and after that he is saying " We are going to use
nuclear weapon if some other countries would not abandon this."

Nonsense or already demonized as USA president.

I assume USA presidents have been received reports from army or CIA etc. and they are so nervous about terrorism . I understand that.
However I formally preached to japan " Do not use nuclear weapon with any reason , even for North Korea."
I say same thing to USA, Obama and his surrounding too.
Using it , it is the end of your country.
The over.
even other countries, if they use this, the end of the country.
No one allow your country to use this type of weapon.
And remember, Iran has many people, individually has different ideas.
One visited to Japan Hiroshima and Nagasaki , he is a chief of Nuclear facility in Iran.

He clearly said " How USA could threw nuclear weapon twice."
yes, one time is enough. made enough damage.
By the way, civilians of any countries must have power than any other tops of the countries.
We are boss but the top leaders are only representative of us.
If they say something wrong, fire 'em.

do not spoil particular ideal people, they are just human like you, if it is not good, recall them too.

I am talking about USA.

[KalbiTahng]

nopatriot, go drink some sake and choke on your sashimi. You don't make sense you incoherrent "Irahnkoto."

[jackp32]

Bailing wire has a short life span.

[thomderr1]

This is not a positive development, as some have posted. It is actually most negative.

We may be looking only at the tip of an iceberg.

[WitchBroom]

It's interesting how it took Consumer Reports weeks of testing and data analysis to discover the problem with the Toyota Sienna. Then when CR revealed the results to the public Toyota claims they've suddenly and magically replicated and analyzed the issues within an abbreviated 24 hour period. Bull! Anyone with any ioda of common sense knows it takes numerous tests and countless engineers to pour over data to reach conclusions. Toyota didn't "replicate" the issue overnight like they're portraying in the media. They knew of the problems all along. They've been sitting on the knowledge without revealing the truth to the U.S. government and unsuspecting consumers. Toyota has become so uncredible and they get more ridiculous by the week. They don't even make a good argument when they're faking it.

[thesevenveils]

The article hides much. During testing of the new models Toyota has to prove it meets US Transportation Dept. safety standards. The data from the Lexus tests would have shown this problem. Toyota decided to ignore it. Now a third party reported it and Toyota hasn't done one thing to help the Lexus car owners who are now driving one of these cars that have been "temporarily" taken off the market.

[robbyr2]

The problem with the Toyota Sienna has nothing to do with the problem Toyota was able to duplicate in the Lexus GX 460. The CR report showed a software problem with the electronic stability control. The fix will be pretty simple on all 5,000 of the things, just a little computer programming.

Its too bad. Consumer Reports is not a neutral party here. The unproven theory that sudden unintended acceleration events are caused by software in Toyota's electronics is the brain-child of CR's former board of directors member, Ralph Nader. It is being pushed by current CR BOD member, Clarence Ditlow who is Ralph Nader's protege. So is now for-profit Thomas Kane (a controversial figure because of alleged delays in reporting the Ford-Firestone debacle). The other few "experts" are all shills working for product liability lawyers.

As for the idiots like Secretary LaHood and Congressman Towns (who alleged he found "smoking guns" in 70,000 documents within two days), they are just looking to help the UAW and Government Motors. Congressman Issa and his staff spent two weeks looking at the same documents and he says Towns is wrong. Towns just sent the letter the Attorneys Toyota Action Consortium dictated to him.

As for the Sienna, that is a problem shared with most vehicles like it when dealing with road salts in winter driving.

And as for "Automakers are required to notify the U.S. government within five business days when they find a potential safety defect." Given that NHTSA and its dumber than a rock director can't keep a secret (like those same regulations state) until a fix is provided, I'll bet you few manufacturers wouldn't be guilty of the same violation.

[thesevenveils]

Notice what isn't said here. The article briefly says Toyota duplicated the roll over tests. But we know that Toyota already knew this when they tested the car during the prototype phase where they make sure it meets government safety standards. They stopped selling them, but what about the ones on the rode? What about their customers safety from this problem? Notice the subject was quickly switched and focused on a cable holding a spare tire?

[rwsmith29456]

Toyota is making crappy American cars look good.

[thesevenveils]

Electronic stabilization is a European car invention. It was put into sports cars and family sedans to provide better handling and control. Anti-lock brakes were invented from the same European car manufacturers.

Japanese cars run well, but I would not want to be in an accident in one.

[AlamoDoc]

With the way Toyotas are being made these days, I'm more concerned about the tires that I'm driving on falling off than the spare! Looks like it's a good time to buy American again!

[WitchBroom]

Not so quick. Toyota isn't the only foreign manufacturer know for building quality autos. My 12 year old Nissan has 212,000 miles and it's still reliable and a quality ride. And while the getting was good, I just bought a new 2010 model since they're offering big manufacturer rebates or 0% financing.